Carpet installation in Los Angeles
New carpet should feel right on day one and stay flat for years. We measure, lay out the seams, choose the pad and take the old carpet away.
- Rooms, stairs and runners
- Pad matched to the carpet
- Repair and stretching
Measuring and seams
Where the seams go matters more than how many there are.
Carpet comes in wide rolls, so most rooms need at least one seam. We measure each room and plan the layout so seams run in low-traffic areas and away from the light from windows, where they are hardest to see. The pile runs the same direction across the whole floor so the color looks even.
Seams are joined with hot-melt tape and the edges trimmed tight, so they sit flat and do not open over time.
The job, from old carpet to new
What happens on carpet day.
- 01
Old carpet out
We pull up the old carpet and pad, remove staples, and haul everything away. The subfloor gets a look for damage or squeaks while it is open.
- 02
The right pad
Pad changes how carpet feels and how long it lasts. We match the pad's thickness and density to the carpet, so it feels soft without wearing out the backing early.
- 03
Stretched tight
The carpet is stretched with a power stretcher and hooked onto tack strip at the walls. Proper stretching is what keeps ripples from forming later.
- 04
Clean edges
Edges are tucked at the baseboards, and doorways get a transition to the next floor at a matching height.
Stairs and runners
Stairs take the most wear in the house.
Carpet on stairs is cut and fitted step by step, wrapped around each nose or fitted in a waterfall style. We use a dense pad so the edges hold their shape.
A runner over wood stairs gives softness and grip while the wood shows at the sides. We fit runners with even borders and secure them so they do not shift.
If you are moving from carpet to a hard floor, laminate is the lower-cost option. If your stairs are wood and you would rather keep them bare, new treads and refinishing are part of our hardwood work.
Carpet repair and re-stretching
Ripples and loose seams can usually be fixed without new carpet.
Ripples and bumps appear when carpet was not stretched enough at installation or has relaxed over time. We re-stretch the carpet and reset it on the tack strip so it lies flat again. Loose or split seams are resealed. A burn or a stain can often be patched with a matching piece cut from a closet. If the floor under the carpet is squeaking or soft, we fix that through floor repair while the carpet is up.
Carpet in condos
A soft floor is often the default in multi-unit buildings.
Carpet over pad absorbs footsteps well, which is one reason condo buildings often start with it. If you are replacing carpet with a hard floor, your association will likely ask for an underlayment with a stated sound rating, since the building code sets a minimum rating between units. If you are staying with carpet, a quality pad helps keep the downstairs neighbors happy.
What drives the price of carpet
Carpet, pad, rooms and stairs.
Carpet price depends on fiber, density and style. Pad is priced separately. Then removal and disposal of the old carpet, the number of rooms and seams, and stairs, which take the most labor per square foot. We list each part in the quote.
Questions about carpet
Do you take away the old carpet?
Yes. We remove the old carpet and pad, pull the staples and haul it all away. It is listed as its own line in the quote.
Can you fix carpet that has ripples?
Usually, yes. We re-stretch the carpet with a power stretcher and reset it on the tack strip so it lies flat again.
Do you install carpet on stairs?
Yes, both full wrapped stairs and runners over wood stairs. Stairs are quoted per step because each one is cut and fitted by hand.
What does carpet installation cost?
It depends on the carpet and pad you choose, removal of the old carpet, the number of rooms and seams, and stairs. After we measure, we give you a written quote with each part listed.
Ready for new carpet?
Tell us the rooms and whether stairs are included. We will measure and plan the seams with you.